The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-12-09
Danger of Orer-Confidence.

The danger of over-confdence ia po-
licical contests is illustrated by the de-
moralization and encouragement that
fell upon the Republicans as the result
OF their unexpected defeat in this State.
They had been so sure of carrying the
election in consequence of the Labor
diversion that when defeat came they
were plainly dlsheartened at the pros
pecU for next year.
There Is a lesson in this for the Dem
ocrats. While confidence is good, over
confidence is bad. The prestige and the
hope are now plainly with the Demo
Gratis; and yet in some respects they are
not as well off as they were in the year
before The last Presidential! election.
In 1888 there was no sign of proba-
bic break in the Democratic solidity OF
the Southern States. Kentucky was
Democratic by over 44.000 majority,
Maryland the same by i, 900 and Miss
issippi hy an overwhelming vote. Nlr-
glnia mad revolutionized the State
Legislature from Rsadjuster-Republi-
can majority of p on joint ballot 10
Democratic majority of 20. West NIr-
ginia had elected Snyder, Democrat,
10 fill a vacancy in Congress by a good
majority.
In lUc y States N8lC 1tCI4ONAoNo
had carried New York by Il. 900 plural
ity, although losing the head of the
ticket on the liquor issue. New Jersey
had gone Democratic by $500 plurality.
Indiana stood in line with Democratic
Governor-elect and Democratic Legis-
lature. Connecticut alone of the Dem
ocratic States OF 1884 had given Re
publican majority.
The Republicans, on the other hand,
had Jared badly in the election of 1888.
They had lost Michigan by plurality
of 5000. They had been defeated in
Ohio, where Gov. Hoadly had been
elected by Il. 629 plurality over Foraker.
Their big majorities In other Republi-
can States had dwindled down 10 mod
crate pluTalities.
This year the Democrats have car
ried New York, despite the Labor vote,
which is indeed great victory, indicat-
ing that about 80 per cent. of the George
strength was won back again to the
Democratic party. But they have lost
New Jersey and Indiana, the latter
State having fallen back 10 Republican
ism last year. They have redeemed
Virginia, which went Republican h
year ago. and have secured plurality
IN West Virginia.
Iue ltEpGD'lc3uS nave lhlS year It
uaWed their strength in their own States
and made inroads il some of the Demo
cratic States, but they so confidently
counted upon victory IN New York
that their signal defeat here created al
most a panic in their party.
The lesson of the elections teaches
that the Democrats may count with
some confidence on continuance of
power, provided they avoid mistakes and
honestly redeem their pledges 10 lessen
tie burdens o: the people and relieve
business by abOlishing war taxes. But
it teaches also that the Democrats can
hsidly expect 10 win next year a single
Republican State which voted for Mr..
Blaine ia 1851. and that the vote OF this
State alone can secure a Democratic
victory. As the vote of New York will
be more than 200 600 larger next year
than II has been this yeSr, and as In
diana or New JeTsy and some other
State must be carried as Well as New
York to win the Presidential battle, /:
will be seen that there is vet enough
work for the Democracy to do, and that
there is no room for Congressional blum
deFs or eT-cOnfidence.-N. J. World.